This Is the Best Time of Year for Thrift Shopping, According to Experts

Schedule an alert on your January calendar ASAP: The first month of the year may be the best time to hit thrift stores and consignment shops, say pros of the thrifting trade. Reportedly, an especially colossal wave of new (to you) treasures are expected to hit shelves. Better make time for a trip to your favorite store—if you aren’t already hopping in the car, that is.

As avid thrifters have observed, and secondhand chains like Goodwill have reported, January sees an increase in inventory at thrift stores. “Many of us in the thrifting community have identified January as one of the best times to shop, as we typically see a lot of fresh pieces,” says DIY expert and experienced thrifter Zoë Adamczak. 

Why Is January So Good for Thrifting?

So, is there a secret or reason behind the fully stocked shelves and packed racks? Consider the specificity of the time of year. Whether it’s a new hobby or wellness resolution, the new year brings with it the opportunity for refreshing routines and trying something new. A common intention for January? Organizing and decluttering. If you’re among those who’ve set such a cleaning resolution, good on you! If not, you can still benefit from your neighbor’s closet clean-out. 

After "to donate" boxes and bags have been sorted and packed, many end up in the donation bins of secondhand stores and in consignment shops. Then, to the floor they go. And there you have an increase in thrift store inventory and a slew of new, inexpensive finds to uncover.   

"I see a lot of great stuff hit the shelves earlier in the year," says Adamczak. "Clothing with the tags still on them frequently turn up when people are emptying their closets of all the stuff they bought and ended up never wearing."

This is the time that frequenters of thrift stores get ready to score. And those new to the sport—remember what we said about a new year, new hobbies. “I’d say, due to the increase in inventory I tend to see, now is the perfect time to try thrifting if you're not used to shopping secondhand,” Christine Baccay, a Texas-based home renovator and salvager, shares. “You're more likely than not to easily find some great new and gently used pieces.”

Tips for Thrifting in the New Year

From calling ahead to shopping early, this is how thrifters and resellers shop to ensure secondhand success stories.

Call for Your Store Schedule

Like many things in life, it doesn’t hurt to call ahead. Stores may put new inventory on the floor on a weekly basis, or markdown items on a particular schedule—so don’t be shy about calling your local store and inquiring. Some may even run special sales on certain days of the week.

Don’t Forget About Garage Sales

While you typically may think of garage and yard sales as springtime affairs, if you live in a temperate climate you should still be on the lookout for them earlier in the year, as well as estate sales. “People may opt for yard sales over donating or going the consignment route if the weather allows,” says Baccay. Keep an eye out for sales in your area.

Practice Patience

Remember that items are going to be their most expensive as soon as they hit shelves. Scooping up a super special treasure as soon as you see it is fine (great, usually!) once in a while, but waiting and watching to see if prices drop can score you better deals. Also, don’t get discouraged if you don’t find an amazing score right away. The treasure hunt to part of the fun!

Try for Fit (and Sniff)

While you may be able to remove some stains, odors may be tougher. “Give clothes a whiff before purchasing, and try everything on if possible,” says Adamczak. “You'll be able to improve some fit issues with a tailor, but be realistic and consider how that might add to the overall cost of the item,” she adds.

Look Beyond Your Closet

Don’t forget that people are likely cleaning out other areas of their homes besides their closets. So, similarly, look beyond yours when shopping. Books (as donators clear their own shelves) and gently used kitchen appliances (that may have gotten upgraded over the holidays) may also find their way into thrift stores. “Christmas and holiday decorations and baskets used for gift wrapping are also popular January donations,” says Adamczak. If you have the storage space, stock up on what you need now for the following holiday season. 

Shop Early

Good news for earlier risers: "The earlier, the better," says Adamczak of when to start shopping. Inventory is usually freshest in the morning, so you'll want to arrive close to when your thrift store opens to be able to pick from the best selection.